GST and supply of multi-purpose compression socks

Is the entity, a supplier of medical aids and appliances, making a GST-free supply under subsection 38-45(1) of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (GST Act), when it supplies multi-purpose compression socks?

Yes, the entity is making a GST-free supply under subsection 38-45(1) of the GST Act when it supplies multi-purpose compression socks.

The entity is a supplier of medical aids and appliances. The entity supplies multi-purpose compression socks.

Multi-purpose compression socks are designed to provide gradual compression from the foot, upwards to knee height, to stimulate blood flow and eliminate swelling of legs and feet. Multi-purpose compression socks are of benefit to people with vein thrombosis, people with poor circulation such as diabetics and people who stand on their feet for long periods. The product can also be of benefit to aircraft travellers as a preventative measure against deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Multi-purpose compression socks are specifically designed for people with an illness or disability and are not widely used by people without an illness or disability.

There is no agreement between the entity and the recipient of the supply that the supply will not be treated as a GST-free supply.

The entity is registered for goods and services tax (GST).

Under subsection 38-45(1) of the GST Act, the supply of a medical aid or appliance is GST-free where the medical aid or appliance: • is covered by Schedule 3 to the GST Act (Schedule 3), or specified in the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Regulations 1999 (GST Regulations); and • is specifically designed for people with an illness or disability; and • is not widely used by people without an illness or disability.

Item 14 in the table in Schedule 3 to the GST Regulations lists 'compression garments'.

GST Pharmaceutical Health Forum - Issues Register - Attachment B - Schedule 3 - Medical aids or appliances (Regulation 38-45.01), describes compression garments as, 'Garments which exert sufficient pressure on the wearer to be of therapeutic benefit. Commonly used by lymphoedema and burn sufferers'.

Multi-purpose compression socks are designed to provide gradual compression from the foot, upwards to knee height. The compression applied by the socks stimulates blood flow and eliminates swelling of legs and feet. This benefits people with vein thrombosis, people with poor circulation such as diabetics and people who stand on their feet for long periods. The product can also be of benefit to aircraft travellers as a preventative measure against deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Therefore, the multi-purpose compression socks do exert sufficient pressure to be of therapeutic benefit to the wearer. The multi-purpose compression socks fall within the scope of compression garments and are covered by Item 14.

In addition, multi-purpose compression socks are specifically designed for people with an illness or disability and are not widely used by people without an illness or disability. Therefore, the entity is making a GST-free supply under subsection 38-45(1) of the GST Act when it supplies multi-purpose compression socks.